Go read the world discussion about each server. Read some of the posts and see which you think might fit your personality and play style. Try out a few to see how you mesh. And what ever you do...do NOT listen to the 'my server is better than your server' garbage.
Oh, and welcome to L2.
If you decide to come play on Franz, look for Melaquinn or Erelyn sometime.
If you scroll to the bottom of the main forum page you will see a list of all the servers. Click on each one and you will see a sticky'ed thread about the server's personality and from there you can read up on what the server is like and if it suits your playstyle.
Im on hindemith which i enjoy but I have also played on franz,lionna,bartz,sieghardt. They are all great servers.
Franz is based in Germany. But just because a server isnt located in NA doesnt mean you cant play on it. If the ping is good and you like the way the server sounds then come visit. Franz is the newest server so there arent many high lvl players yet. Most of us re-rolled to have the fun of starting off just like everyone else. Newbies. No gear, no adena, starter weapon. Lots of fun. :)
It has actually gotten better. Most of the starter towns are clearing out of our automated friends. Alot have been banned, some have just lvl'd up and moved on. I'm not recommending any particular server to join, I simply made an invitation, that if they chose Franz, to look me up. Im not into that server war thing, mostly because I do play on other servers. Right now, Franz is my new home.
I agree with you. Franz did have a major problem. The GM's have been working on it. I know you didnt say one was better than the other. Its just that some players do have an attitude when it comes to certain servers. IE: PTS. I have seen some of this on Franz. People requesting that only other people from this server or that server be the only ones to join their clan. I may be setting myself up for major flaming here, but, doing that is just not right. Actually, to me, its down right rude. We all started over on Franz to have a fresh new start. We are Franzians not re-rolls from 'uberserverwhatever'. Make NEW friends here.
I started 1st toon on Devianne Jan 2, 2006. I can't remember why now, but I think reading lionna forums I decided to try a toon there...ended up playing there for 8 months.
When my in-game friends left the game, I decided to retry Devianne.
Also started a couple low toons on Franz so I could see that start-up first hand.
Give the servers with the lowest pings to you a try and you can always change.
Lvl 1-10 is about an hour of play time so it's not like it takes forever to start over. And that toon is waiting there for you if you decide to switch back.
Don't sweat it so much--just pick one! Lol.
Btw--lionna people and devianne people are truly great!
I like things about both servers!
Franz has been fun too.